Grand player-piano.



W. J. KEELEY.

GRAND PLAYER PIANO.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 1, 1912. RENEWED JUIE 19. 1914.

Patented Aug. 18, 1914.

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THE NORRIS PETER co FHDIO L THO. WASHINGTON, n. c.

W. J. KEELEY.

GRAND PLAYER PIANO.

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Patented Aug. 18, 1914.

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W. J. KEELEY.

GRAND PLAYER PIANO.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 1, 1912. RENEWED JUNE 19, 1014.

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specification.

1 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM J. KEELEY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO AUTO PNEUMATIC ACTION COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

GRAND PLAYER-PIANO.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 18, 1914;

Application filed November 1, 1912, Serial No. 728,990. Renewed June 19, 1914. Serial No. 846,214.

To all whom it may concern:

1 Be it known that 1, WILLIAM J. KEELEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at 440 Riverside Drive, New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented a new and ,useful Grand Player-Piano, of which the following is a Theobject of this invention is to combine a player mechanism, particularlyof a pneu-,

matic type, with a grand piano.

I To this end the same consists in arranging the tracker and sheet supporting mechanism so that when inoperative position, the

tracker will stand above-the piano casing, and in employing means for lowering the same vertically into inoperative position within the piano casing, By this arrangement, the front board of the pianocasin will not have to be disturbed or provi with doors, and as the tracker is lifted above the piano casin when in operative position, the same will he broughtto a much more convenient positionfor the eye to follow the note-sheet than when the tracker is within the piano casing when in operative position.

The invention is shown in the accompanying three sheets of drawings in which,

Figure 1 is a front elevation partly in section illustrating the player mechanism in operative position or the tracker and sheet supporting mechanism lifted to highest position so that the tracker comes above the piano casing, and illustrating also the means for raising and lowering the tracker and sheet supporting mechanism vertically, Fig. 2 is a view of thetracker, sheet supporting mechanism and the raising and lowering means on an enlarged scale, Fig. 3 is a cross sectional elevation illustrating the tracker in its operative position above the piano cas ing, Fig. 4 is a similar view illustrating the tracker in its inoperative position. I

Referring to the drawings and in detail, A designates a grand piano casing, B the fall board, C the front hoard thereof, and D the keys.

E designates an L-shaped support or bed contained within the piano casing. On the horizontal part of the bed are arranged bearings in which are journaled two rock shafts 10. Secured on these rock shafts are arms 11 which are provided with studs at their upper ends on which are journaled sheet supporting mechanism. The usual caring for operating the take-up spool and t e music roll is arranged adjacent to the right hand vertical board F so that the take-up spool and said gearing constitutes a mechanism for supporting and operating the perforated sheet J which is wound on the music roll G. A pneumatic motor K is mounted on the plate 13 at the right of the provided with the gearing and is connected by a flexible pipe L through the usual wind-trunk to the vacuum inducing device or suction bellows. An automatic, pneumatic tracking device M is arranged on the left-hand end of the plate 13 to preserve the proper lateral relation between the note-sheet and. tracker. This sheet supporting mechanism, motor, and tracking device may be of any of the usual or standard types. It will be seen that these parts are all carried on the plate or board 13. Also secured on the shafts 10 are arms 14 which are connected together by a link15. Secured on the bed E is a block 16 on which is pivoted at 16 an operating handle 17 which connects by link 18 to the connecting link 15. A spring 19 is attached to the lower end of the operating handle 17 and to a stationary point to counter-balance the weight of the plate 13 and the parts carried thereby.

The tracker is shown in operative position above the level of the piano casing in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. By rocking or moving the top of the handle 17 to the left, asshown in Fig. 1, the plate 13 will be loweredto allow the tracker to move down into the piano casing into its inoperative position. A back piece N is secured to the vertical boards F and the same carries guides 19 which slide in ways 20 formed on the vertical portion of the support or bed E, these guides and ways being arranged so that the plate 13 will be constrained to move in a vertical direction. llecesses 1 21 are formed in the bed and are provided with felt pieces 22-22 which form CHSlllOIlS for the rollers 12 to strike upon when the plate 13 is lowered to the position shown in Fig.

hen the tracker is lifted to operative po' sition, the arms 11 move slightly past their vertical positions to the right, as shown in Fig. 2, so that they will form a firm support for the plate 13, a pin 23 being employed to limit the movement of the levers 17 to the right and to retain the parts in the position shown.

The piano is provided with the usual pneumatics for engaging the actions and with the usual wind-inducing apparatus and pumping pedals; and also'with the usual controlling levers which are mounted in the front part of the key bed/ lhese parts may be of any ordinaryconstruction with the exception that the connections from the reroll controlling lever 30 to the re-roll clutch lever 81 and from the tempo controlling lever 82 to the tempo indicator 33 are made flexibleor pivoted so as not to restrict or interfere with the raising and lowering movement of the plates 13 and the parts carried thereby; A cover board 0 may be arranged over the tracker, the adjuster and the motor if desired.

By the arrangement described, when the piano is to be played pneumatically, the

tracker is lifted to the position shown in Figs, 1, 2 and 3 above the piano casing so that the perforated note-sheet can be clearly and readily observed by the operator. When the pneumatic mechanism is not to be used, the tracker and sheet supporting mechanism and the parts carried by the plate 13 are lowered down into the piano casing, as shown in Fig. 4. This arrangement does not cut the front board C of the piano or necessitate the use of doors or lids.

This construction is preferably used when the mechanism is to be installed in some of the smaller grand pianos.

By the constructions described, an efficient arrangement is provided so that the piano can be operated either automatically with the t *a-cker in. elevated position above the piano casing, or can be played manually, during which operation the tracker is lowered into the piano casing.

The, details and arrangements herein shown and described may be greatly varied by a skilled mechanic without departing from the scope of my invention as expressed in the claims.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters- Patent is z 1. In a grand pl ayer piano, the combination of the piano casing including a front board a tracker and sheet supporting mechanism arrangec. so that wish in operative position the tracker will stand above the piano casing, means for lowering the same vertically into inoperative position within the piano casing, and a handle for operating said means, said handle projecting behind and above the front board and being at all times unobstructive but readily accessible.

2. In a grand player piano, the combination 01' the piano casing, a support or bed therein, a plate vertically movable upon said support, a tracker and a sheet supporting mechanism carried by said plate, and means for raising and lowering the said plate, comprising pivoted arms engaging the bottom of said plate, and connections for rocking said swinging arms.

3. in a grand player piano, the combination of the piano casing, a support or bed therein, a plate vertically movable upon said support, a tracker and a sheet supporting mechanism carried by said plate, and means for raising and lowering said plate, comprising pivoted arms having rollers engaging the bottom of said plate, and connections for rocking said arms.

i. In a grand player piano, the combination 01" the piano casing, a support or bed therein, a plate vertically movable upon said support, a tracker and a sheet supporting mechanism carried by said plate, and means for raisin and lowering said plate, comprising shafts journaled on said support, arms secured to said shafts carrying rollers engaging the bottom of the plate, arms mounted on said shaft and connected together by a link, and an operating handle connected to said link.

5. In a grand player piano, the combination of the piano casing, a support or bed therein, a plate vertically movable upon said support, a tracker and sheet supporting mechanism carried by said plate, and means fen-raising and lowering said plate, co1nprising shafts journaled on said support, arms secured to said shafts carrying rollers engaging the bottom of the plate, arms mounted on said shaft and connected together by a link, an operating handle connected to link, and a stop arranged so that when the swinging arms are operated to lift the plate they will move slightly over their centers and lock to hold the plate firmly in its raised position.

6. In a grand player piano, the combination of the piano casing, a support or bed therein, a plate vertically movable upon said support, a tracker and sheet supporting mechanism carried by said plate, and means for raising and lowering the plate, comprising shafts mounted on the support, arms mounted on said shaft connected together by a link, a handle connected to operate said link, and cushions for said arms to strike upon to support the parts when the plate is in its lowest position.

7. In a grand player piano, the combination of the piano casing, a support or bed therein, a plate vertically movable upon said support, a tracker and sheet supporting mechanism carried by said plate, and means for raising and lowering the plate, comprising shafts carried by the support, arms mounted on said shaft and en aging said plate, a link for operating sai arms synchronously, an operating handle, and a spring connected to the parts to counterbalance the weight of the plate and the parts carried thereby.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM J. KEELEY. Witnesses:

WILLIAM J. BARTON, SIDNEY J. STAPLES.

Copies of thin patent may be obtained for an out: each, by addreaaiag the "Conniaaioae: at latent, Waamntoa, D. G. 

